UEFA on Monday banned Athletic Bilbao player Yeray Alvarez for 10 months after testing positive for a banned substance, which was contained in a medication used to prevent hair loss caused by cancer treatment.
UEFA stated that the Spanish defender failed a doping test following his team’s Europa League semi-final loss to Manchester United in May and accepted a voluntary provisional suspension in early June.
Following an investigation by two UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary inspectors, the body decided to suspend Alvarez for 10 months. The suspension will expire on April 2 of next year and applies to all competitions. UEFA confirmed that he will be able to train and use club facilities from February 2.
Alvarez, the 30-year-old defender, took several months off from football in 2017 to undergo treatment for testicular cancer. After returning to play, he took medication to combat alopecia. He said the reason for his positive doping test result was because he “inadvertently took a hair loss medication containing a prohibited substance.”
Alvarez confirmed his provisional suspension in July in a social media post, in which he said the hair loss medication contained a prohibited substance.
Alvarez said: “After examining the case, we have concluded that I tested positive because I inadvertently took a hair loss medication containing a prohibited substance.”
He concluded: “I am very sorry for this situation, but with the support of the club, I am working to defend myself, believing that I will be able to return to the pitch as soon as possible.”
